Locking device for load supporting pins



Feb. 13, 1945.

L. EHMANN 2,369,344

LOCKING DEVICE FOR LOAD SUPPORTING PINS Filed April 21, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l LESLIE 's. EHMANN IN VENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1945. G EHMANN 2,369,344

LOCKING DEVICE FOR LOAD SUPPORTING PINS I Filed April 21, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 V Patented Feb. 13; 1945 Leslie G. Ehmann, Portland,"oregntassi npr to Electr'ic Steel IFoundryWCom any, Portland, '0i'eg,,\a corporation of Oregon Application Aprili21, 1941,qserial Noitwifild it w s.

This invention relates to an: improved locking device for aload supporting -pin, such as is used in shackles, repair links and 'the like, and has particular referenceto 'a locking device "for load supporting pins mounted in elements having aligned 'openings and rotation on the pin; i

In certain fields of use, as, 'for example, "in hinge-type repair links comprising a .pair of members having aligned openings and having a pin through said openings to pivotally connect the members together, the load supporting or which "are designed for struction and combination 1 of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and set forth' in' the appended claims;

it being under-stood that various changes'withl in the scopekof t-he claims may be resorted to with'ou't'departing from 'the spirit or sacrificing connecting pin has heretofore been riveted in couritersinks in the outer *ends of the aligned openings. In heavy duty chains the connecting pins are so large that to assemble the and rivet a-pin in working position, or to removea riveted pin whenthe link {is to 'be disany of the advantagesof the invention. mInthe drawingszm Figure 1 is a'plan viewpfachain repair link tion. a Figure 2is a plan view, partly in section, -of

I the link shown inFig'ure 1, showing the means for retaining the load Sup orting pin in operative relation with the :otlierparts of the link. Figure '3 is "a side elevation ofthe link, taken 'ontheline 3fl3 of Figure '1, showing the posiassembled, is a time consuming task requiring special tools, and requires transportation vof either the chain or *the *tools to a place 'convenient for such operations. The present inven- "-tion provides a novel form of locking means for retaining the load *supporting p'in in working position, and provides 'a simple, easily manipulated device which maybe inserted inplace and be removed therefrom with the aid of "simple tools such as a hammer and punch.

It is a-primary object of the inventionto provide, in a mechanism havingaioad supporting pin mounted in aligned openings, a 'locking de- 'tion of the "locking pin.

'Figure A is a perspective view of one of "the U -shaped "members comprising the link.

Figure 5 is 'a side elevation of the load supporting pin.

ice for retaining the *pin in working"position,

and so constructed as to permit rotation of said mechanism on said pin.

i It is 'a further object of the invention to provide, in a mechanism having *a load supporting pin mounted in aligned openings, a novel locking device for retaining the pin in working position, said locking device being removable with the use of ahammer and punch to releasethe pm. i v t i i It is a further obj ect of the invention to provide a simple, easily manipulated means IfOI retaining a load supporting pin in working po sition, and "which, though being readily removable to disengage the pin, is not likely removed by accidental causes.

It is a further object of the invention to'pro for retaining the load supporting pinin workto "be,

Figure 6 is aplan'view of'a shackle embody-- ing the principles of the invention.

Figure '1-is a plan view of -a shackle, partly in" section, showing the head of the load supportfing pinrecessed inone arm 'of 'the shackle, and

showing the means {for locking the "load sup- "porting pin "in working position. 7

Figure 8 is e, fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure "7, illustrating "means for retain 'ing in working position in ashaok1e a load supporting "pin of slightly different construction.

construction of the locking pin. i

modified form 'ure9.

ing position, and means for greatly increasing a the area of shear of the docking pin. a With theseand *other "objects and advantages in mind, the invention -resides the-novel "can *Figure 10 is a side elevation of a shackle, taken on -the-line l ne-"Hi of Figure 7.

*Figure 1-1 is a side elevation pf .a sha'ckle simi min Figure 10, showing an application of the v of locking pin illustratedin Fig- ,Figure 12 is a The chain repair link illustrated in Figures )1, i i and '3 of the *drawings is oomposedof two"U- shaped menibers l and 2 pivotally connected .together by means of a load supporting epin 3.

Each of these u shaped "members and 2 is 5 are provided aligned 'aopenings l 'l and 8,

mbodying the principles 10f applicants invensectional view of aload supporting pin, taken on a line through the peripheral groove, and showing the lines of shear,

- quiring special tools.

provides means for securing the load supporting in double shear.

portion 9 is approximately in the line of tension when a load is applied to the bight of the hook. The offset end portion 9 provides a, recess I I of a size which will accommodate the end portion of the companion member. Thus the two members fit together in smooth, symmetrical relationship with the enlarged end portions 9 of the shanks 4 approximately in the line of tension when the link is loaded, and with the small arms 5' in overlapping relation to the large end portions 9. The solid, chain links I2 and I3, indicated by dotted line in Figures 1 and 2, illustrate how the large end portions 9 lie approximately in the line of tension. V

In certain fields of usefulness for the type of repair link hereinabove described, the links are of considerable size, the diameter of the metal at each bight 6 being two and one-half inches and greater. In heavy duty links the load supporting in 3 is of such size that when it is to be riveted in working position or the link disassembled, the task is, a time consuming one re- The present invention pin 3 in working position which may easily be inserted in place and be removed with the aid of simple tools such as a hammer and punch. In one form of the device, as illustrated in Figures 2 aid of a punch and hammer.

and 5, the load supporting pin 3 is provided with a peripheral groove I4 adjacent each of its ends, and each of the arms 5 is provided with a hole I5 transversely of the arm in alignment with one of the grooves I4 when the load supporting Pin 3 is in working position. A retaining pin I6 is insertable through each of the holes I5 and through the grooves I4 andfunctions to retain the load supporting pin 3 in working position. Thedepth of the annular groove I4 is substantially equal to the diameter of the retaining pin I 6. Reference to Figure 3 will reveal that the two end portions of the retaining pin I6 are received entirely within the solid portion of the arms 5, and that the central portion of the retaining pin I6 engages the load supporting pin 3 in the groove. I4, and that the arms 5 and load supporting pin 3 together have bearing upon substantially the full length of the pin I6. This arrangement insures that the pin I6 is loaded In other words, before the load supporting pin 3 can accidentally be displaced from the aligned openings I and 8 by reason of failure of the pin I6, there must be failure in the two lines of shear I1 and I8. (See Figure 12.) A particular advantage of the construction just described is that insertion of the pin I6 through the arms 5 and into engagement with the pin 3 through the grooves I4--I4 effectively prevents-spreading of the link unde load. It will be appreciated that when used for anchor chains and the like, this feature. is of primary importance.

It will be noted that the pins I6 are received entirely within the arms 5 and, by reason of this design, are'not subject either to wear or to accidental blows which wouldotherwise tend to dislodge the pins I6 from the link. Preferably,

The device illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 comprises a shackle I9 having arms 20 and 2I provided at their extremities with aligned openings 22 and 23. Both openings 22 and 23 are of generally circular form, the opening 23 being enlarged at its outer end asshown at 24. The

shackle I 9 is provided with a load supporting pin 25 comprising a generally cylindrical shank having an enlarged head 26 on one end thereof. Adjacent the end of the pin opposite the head 26 is a peripheral groove 21, and transversely of the arm 20, in alignment with the groove 21 when the pin 25 is in working position, is a hole 28. Aretaining pin'29 is insertable through the hole 28 and through the groove 21. The ends or the pin are received entirely within the solid portions of the arm 20, whereas the central portion of the pin 29 extends through the groove 21 and functions to retain the load supporting pin 25 in working position. The pin- 29 extends through the groove 21 on a tangent of the arc of the peripheral groove, and does not interfere with rotation of the load supporting .pin 25 in the aligned openings 22 and 23.

Figure 8 illustrates a pair of elements 30-3Il having aligned circular openings 3 I3I and having a load supporting 'pin 32 mounted for rotation therewithin. Adjacent each end of the pin 32 is a peripheral groove 33,.and each of the elements 30 is provided with a hole 34 transversely thereof in alignment with one out the grooves 33 when the load supporting pin 32 is in working position. A retaining pin 35 is insertable through each said hole 34 and one of the grooves 33 to retain the load supporting pin 32 in working position.

In the form of the device illustrated in'Figure 9, the arm 36 of the U-shaped member 31 is provided with an opening 38 transversely of the arm, each end of the opening begin inclined from the other end of the opening so that a pin 39, inserted therethrough, is caused to follow in part the arc of the peripheral groove M in the pin 40. It will be appreciated that a pin 39 inserted in the opening 38 must of necessity bend out of a straight line-to follow through the opening 38, and that once inserted therein it would require the application of a hammer and punch to dislodge the pin 39 sufficiently to permit withdrawal of the load supporting pin 40.

In the form of the device illustrated in Figure 11, the arm 20 of the shackle I9 is provided with an opening 42transversely of the arm, each end of the opening being inclined from the other end of the opening and intersecting the arc Olf the peripheral groove 21 in the load supporting pin 25. A pin 43 inserted through the opening 42 bends out of a straight line to follow the opening. However, the opening 42 does not follow the arc of a circle and the pin 43 may be vision of the greatly increasedarea of shear of the retaining pin. The two lines of she'ar l1 tron withtlie groove in the load sup orting pin. The area of shear is the area orth segment o-n'the chord AByand it will be appreciated that d 'l 8 are represented by that portiono-f the rctaining'pinbctween the points of its interse'ce an w ' :opening .u'substantially throughout the full :cross section "of said 1 second ;opening, the diameter :of said second opening being I substantially equal :to

ithe cross sectional'areaof saidgro'ove, a;retain tjhisarea is further increased as the retaining pin j is caused to be inclined from a straight line,

as indicated-in'dotted lines in Figure 12.

Although described herein as applied to a repair 'link and shackle, applicants invention is ndt limitedto use therewith, as it has utility in' fge'neral wherever -means is required to fasten a I lofad supporting pin orshait in aligned yopengs, and especially where rotation of the pin "or shafttis a desired characteristic "ofuthe construction. j i l a Havingnow described my invention and :in

what manner the same' may b ecused,;what I {aim as new and desireto protect by Letters #Patent'is: 1

: pin throughout theiifull length. l

:ing pin arranged through saidasecond :opening and through said groove whereby said loadlsup- :porting pinlis retained in apredetermined axial relation within 1 said arm} irrespective lot the angular relation thereof with respect :to said 7 #10 F mg adaptedtfor relativerotationwith said pi-n jin'working position, saidarm and said load-suparm, said arm and said load supportingrpinbeporting pin together bearing upon said. retaining J'5.A article of manufacture compris ng a memberihaving a first opening therethrough ira .loa'd supporting pin extending cooperatively through said opening,*means defining an annular groove in theiouterglsurface ofsaid pin, means 1. Alocking device for a loadsupporting' pin a in a chain repair link and the like, comprising 'apair of U-shaped members, feachmember hjava large arm and a small arm, aligned openingsin theends of said arms," api'n thro-ughsaid "openings to connect said members together, isaid large arms carrying the mid portion of said pin and said s-mall armscarrying the-end portions of said pin,said pin having a peripheral groove -a djacent each of its ends, and a retaining pin extendingfthrough each of the small arms of said membersfand through one of said grooves for retainingsaid first named pin in said link.

A locking device for a loadsupp'orting pin,

comprising a air of U-shaped memberaeach of said members having two arms and aligned openings in the ends of said ,arms,a pin throughsaid openings to connect said members together, said members being disposedon said pin so thatone armof each memberis included between the two defining a Pair ofrelativelysmallopeningswex tendingthroughsaid member in acornmon plane atrightangleswith respect to said first opening, "said last mentioned openings communicating with said first iopening adjacent a side wall thereof and at a slight angle with respect to each other, the inner ends of rsaidlsmall open ings being aligned with each other, a retaining pin insertedthroughxsaid small openingsand through; said groove, said secondflpin being lde formed upon being driven through said angularl 1y disposedsmall openings "whereby it is-retained I in position due to the deformation thereof.

W6. :An ..article of manufacture comprising 1a member having .a :first, 1 relatively alarge opening therethrough, a load supporting p-inextending f'throughsaid opening, means defining an "annular groove in saidpin, meanstdefining a pair arms of the other member, said pin having a peripheral groove adjacent each of its-ends, and a'retaining pin extending through the outermost arms of each saidmember andthrough one of said grooves for retaining said pin in said aligned openings and for preventing said membersfrom spreading under load. i i i 3. Alocking-device for a load supportingpin, comprising a member having two arms and "aligned openings in the ends of said'arms, a load supporting pin through said openings, "an anhulargroove peripherally of said pin, means jdefining opening transversely of one of said arms in alignment with said groove when said i pinjs in working positionpsaid opening being inclined from a straght lineand following in partthearc of said groove, and apin insertable through it said opening ,in engagement with said groovefor retaining said first named pin in working position while permitting free rotative movement of saidfirst pin within said openings.

. 4. An} article of manufacture comprising aload supporting arm, means defining a cylindrical opening through said arm, a cylindrical load supaporting ,pin extending through said open ng,

parallel walls extending entirely around said pin of relatively small openin'gswthroughsaidimem- 1 her lying in a common plane at right angles with V I respect to said first opening and communicating with said first opening throughout substantially "the full diameter of. said small openingsgthe inner ends of said small openings being aligned withlrespect to each other' adjacent .a sidewall ofjsaid first opening, said second openings .being disposed at a slight angle with respect toeach other, a retaining pin driven through said small openings and extending through.saidwgroovetin -said loadsupportingpimsaid retainingpin'being deformedgas it is driventhrough said zangula'rlydisposed small openings whereby itqisy-ree tained in position due to thedeformationthereof.

jll', An 7 article of, manufacture comprising a member having, a first relativelylarge opening "therethrougha load supporting pi extending *throughsaid "opening, means defining an andefininganoannular groove in theysurface of i said load supporting pimthe widtli'of saidjgroove being substantially equal to the depth thereof,

means defining a second relatively small opening through said arm at, right angles with renulargroo-ve in the surzface of said load supporting pin, means defininga pair of relatively small second openings extending through said-memtbr atright-angles with respect to said first openingand communicating with said first opening, saidpair of openings being disposed at a slight angle with respect to each other, a retaining pin 1 l'driven through saidsec'ond opening and through fsaid groove, the angular relation between, said second openings being such that said retaining pin follows in part the arc of saidgroove, said retaining pin beingretained in said second openings due to the deformation thereof as it is driven through said second openings;

a 8. A lockingdevice fora load supporting-pin,

spect to said first opening and intersecting said first opening adjacent a side wall thereof, said second opening communicatingwith said first comprising a pair of members having armsand aligned openings in the ends of said arms, a pin insertable through said openings for con necting said members together, parallel walls ex tending entirely around said in defining an annular groove peripherally of said pin, one or ,said arms being provided with a hole therepin insertable through said openings for. connecting said members together, parallel walls extending entirely around said pin defining an annular groove peripherally of said pin, one of said arms being provided with a hole therethrough in alignment with said groove when said pin is in working position, and a retaining pin insertable through said arm and into said groove and extending tangentially or said groove for retaining said first named pin in working position irrespective of the angular position of said pin in said openings, said retaining pin being received entirely within said arm and being loaded in double shear.

10. A locking device for a load supporting pin, comprising a pair of members having arms and aligned openings in the ends of said arms, a pin insertable through said openings forconnecting said members together, parallel walls extending entirely around said pin defining an annular groove peripherally of said pin, one of saidarms being provided with a hole therethrough in alignment with said groove when said pin is in working position, and a retaining pin insertable aligned openings in the ends of said arms, apin insertable through said openings for connecting said members together, parallel walls extending entirely around said pin defining an annular groove peripherally of said pin, one of said arms being provided with a hole therethrough in alignment with said groove when said pin is in working position, and a retaining pin insertable through saidarm and intosaid groove and extending tangentially of said groove for retaining said first named pin in working position irrespective of the angular position of said pin in said openings, said retaining pin having an area of shear equal'to the segment thereof between the points of its intersection with said groove.

12. A locking device for a load supporting pin, comprising a member having two arm and aligned openings in said arms, a load supporting pin insertable through said openings, parallel walls extending entirely around said pin defining an annular groove peripherally of said pin, at

least one of said arms being provided witha hole therethrough in alignment with said groove when said pin is in working position, and a re- 'taining pin insertable through said 'armtand into said groove for retaining saidload supporting pin in, working position irrespective of the angular position of said load supporting pinin-saidopention, said, retaining pin being loaded in double shear and having an area of shear equal to the segment thereof between the points of its intersection with said roove.

13. A locking device for a load supporting pin,

'comprising a pair of members having arms and aligned opening in the ends of said arms, a pin through said openings to connect said members together, parallel walls extending entirely around said pin defining an annular groove peripherally of said pin, and means extending transversely through one of said arms and engaging said groove for preventing withdrawal of said pin "from said aligned openings irrespective of the v angular position of said pin in said openings, said load supporting pin being freely rotatable while in working position.

14. A locking device for a load supporting pin,

comprising a pair of U-shaped members, each of said'members having two arms and aligned openings in the end of said arms, a load supporting pin insertable through said openings for con-,

necting said members together, parallel walls extending entirely around said pin defining an annular groove peripherally of said pin, and means extending transversely of one of the arms of each saidmember and engaging through said groove for preventing withdrawal of said pin from said aligned openings irrespective of the angular position of said pin in said openings, said load supporting pin being freely rotatable while in working position.

15. A locking device for a load supporting pin, comprising a U-shaped member having two arms and" aligned openings in the ends of said arms, a load supporting pin insertable through said openings, parallel walls extending entirely around said pin defining an annular groove adjacent one of its ends, a retaining pin extending transversely through one of the arms out said member and engaging in said groove for preventing withdrawal of saidfirst named pin from said member irrespective of the angular position of said load supporting in in said openings and permitting free rotative movement of said first named pin from said aligned openings irrespective of the angular position of said load supporting pin in said openings, said pin being readily removable from said transverse opening as by means of a hammer and punch, said load supporting pin, being freely rotatable while in Working position.

LESLIE G. EHMANN. 

